Nutrition During Pregnancy
During pregnancy all nutrients are important to both
the mother and the development of the baby. Special
attention should be given to foods that are rich in
iron, calcium, essential fats, and folic acid.
What is Folic Acid?
Folic acid is the man-made version of a B vitamin
that are also known as folate or folacin. We need
folic acid because it helps our body to make new cells.
Folic acid also helps to protect babies from developing
neural tube defects (NTDs). NTDs is a serious birth
defects that may need life long medical attention
and, more seriously, causing death at birth.
NTDs occurs before most woman realize that they are
pregnant, between the 3rd and 4th week after becoming
pregnant. There are two major types of NTDs: Anencephaly
and Spina Bifida.
Two Major Types of Neural Tube
Defects: Anencephaly and Spina BifidaAnencephaly
Anencephaly is the partial or complete absence of
the baby's brain. Most babies with this birth defect
are stillborn or die soon after birth.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida occurs when there is an opening of the
spine. This happen when one or more vertebrae (the
bones that form the backbone) fail to form properly
leaving a gap or a split which cause damage to the
central nervous system.
To prevent further damage, babies born with spina
bifida need to have surgery shortly after birth to
close the spine. Because the nerve damage is permanent,
babies with spina bifida may have varying degrees
of paralysis of the lower limbs.
In addition to lacking feeling in their legs and
later develop walking problems, spina bifida can also
cause learning disabilities, and some babies may have
mental retardation.
Folic Acid and Preventing Spina
Bifida
Taking folic acid supplement everyday can reduce
the risk of spina bifida in unborn babies. Women of
childbearing age should take folic acid supplement
daily.
Because neural tube defects occurs before most women
know that they are pregnant, taking folic acid prior
to becoming pregnant and through the early weeks of
pregnancy (approximately 12 weeks) can reduce the
risk of NTDs in babies.
It is a safe and an effective way for most women
to prevent neural tube defects in their babies by
taking 0.4 mg of folic acid every day. The best way
to ensure that you're getting adequate amount of folic
acid is to take a daily multivitamin pill that contains
this amount of folic acid.
For those who have family history of neural tube
defects, these women may need to take more than 0.4
mg.
Folic Acid Side Effects
It is rare to have an allergic reaction to folic
acid. Reaction to folic acid can cause itching, rash,
and general discomfort.
Pregnancy Nutrition and Folic Acid
Folic acid is only one of the may nutrients that
is needed for good health, attention should still
be given to other vitamins and minerals. Eating healthy
and good nutrition before and during pregnancy is
an important step to ensure babies are born healthy.
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